A Parker In A Box

[james nedela]

I acquired this gun at an Estate sale over 25 years ago. It's a Lifter Lever 12 ga, 32", serial #17375, Plain Twist marked on barrels. A plain Jane to be sure with no original finish remaining. Wearing the marks of time & excessive field use, but still tight & a solid gun. An amazing survivor. My question is about the box. Made out of Walnut & expertly made to fit the gun. Makes me think it's a factory supplied box. Has anyone seen such a box? It was painted with gray porch paint when I got it. When stripped, the very nicely grained Walnut was revealed. Also an 1878 Catalog came with the gun & box. Looking forward to your comments, Jim.
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[james nedela]

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[Jay Gardner]

Cool story, great question. Looking forward to the replies.

[Mills Morrison]

Very nice. Hopefully some of our seasoned collectors will comment on the box

[charlie cleveland]

what a great find hope you find your answers to the question of the box....charlie

[Bill Murphy]

As I recall, the 1878 catalog had pictures of walnut cases.

[edgarspencer]

Whether it came from Parker, or was supplied new with the gun, I couldn't say. It does, however, look to be an original gun box, but the interior partitions do not appear to be original. Even the most plain boxes attributed to Parker, had fitted interiors, with accommodation for tools, and ammunition.

[james nedela]

It does have fitted compartments for the gun & a couple for ammo & cleaning tools. It is very well done. I did see the boxes in the catalog, but I can't seem to locate it right now. I will keep looking, it's here some where!

[Bill Jolliff]

Here's a picture of an underlifter Parker SN 3229 which its owner said is in its original Parker walnut case. Someone else owns it now.

https://i.imgur.com/P34GtKj.jpg

[james nedela]

I have seen that box, but it has always held a high grade gun. I think mine was a simple shipping box for the lower grade gun that it is. According to the son of the guy that owned & used it, his Father, the gun was purchased new by him & it came with the box. The Father used it nearly up to the day he died, some time in the 1970s. It is well used but not abused. Also wondering how a restoration would look. I'm thinking barrels & wood, but that would be about it, Jim.

[Dean Romig]

Bottom illustration?...

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[Mike Franzen]

Jim you sure find some nice stuff. I enjoyed “shopping” in your basement this past summer. What is the serial number of your gun? I also have a gun made in 1878. In fact my first Parker.

[james nedela]

My gun is #17375, 12ga, 32". Enjoyed meeting you, hope the fishing was good.

[james nedela]

TTT

[ED J, MORGAN]

Have you sent for a letter on the gun? Perhaps if ordered with the gun factory would have noted that.

[Craig Budgeon]

James, I doubt your gun was shipped in that box, because if Parker used that container to ship somebody on this forum would have seen an identical example. That case/box is way to nice to throw away and is great for storage. Whether Parker Bros. Provided that case or not isn't important but the protection it has offered your gun is.